Flexible information handling system display

Abstract

An information handling system having rotationally coupled housing portions supports a flexible display disposed across the housing portions with a hinge structure that manages flexible display curve radius in a folded configuration. A set of plural hinges having five geared rotational portions interconnect with a bar fixedly coupled to the center hinge rotational portion. The bar presses against a shape memory alloy support that manages curve radius of a flexible display during rotation of the hinges.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 628,812, entitled “Flexible Information Handling System Display Sliding Frame” by inventors Jung Hwan Hong, Duck Soo Choi, and John T. Morrison, filed on even date herewith, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.[0002]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 628,819, entitled “Flexible Information Handling System Display External Hinge Structure” by inventors Jung Hwan Hong, Duck Soo Choi, and John T. Morrison, filed on even date herewith, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.[0003]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 628,824, entitled “Dynamic Antenna Orientation with a Flexible Information Handling System Display” by inventors John T. Morrison, Jace W. Files, and Gerald R. Pelissier, filed on even date herewith, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.[0004]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for managing flexible display movements related to rotationally coupled housing portions of an information handling system. One or more hinges rotationally couple housing portions that rotate relative to each other between a planar configuration and a closed configuration. A flexible display, such as an OLED film disposed across the housing portions and hinge, folds as the housing portions rotate from a planar to closed configuration. A display frame structure interacts with the hinge during rotation of the housing portions to manage flexible display fold radius so that damage does not occur to the flexible display. For example, the display frame structure manages a sliding motion relative to the housing portions as housing portions rotate about the hinge.

[0013]More specifically, an information handling system has first and second housing portions rotationally coupled to each other. Processing components integrated in the housing portions process information for presentation as visual images at a flexible OLED display film disposed across the housing portions. A display frame structure holds the OLED display film and provides support to the display film that prevents damage, such as sharp bends or indentations from end user manipulation of the housing portions and end user touches to the display film surface. For example, the display frame structure includes a first display frame slidingly engaged with a first housing portion, a second display frame slidingly engaged with a second housing portion, and a flexible support coupled between the display frames so that the OLED display film has a stationary support surface that extends from the first to the second housing portion and across the hinge. As housing portions rotate between planar and closed configurations, the relative diameter of the housing portion hinge structure and the display frame structure changes. The display frame structure adapts to the changed relative position with the housing portions by sliding relative to the housing portions. Roller assemblies on opposing ends of the housing portions manage sliding motion of display frames relative to housing portions. In one embodiment, a biasing device associated with the roller assembly and / or other display frame structure provides a bias to the display frame that reduces force applied to the display film during rotational movement of the housing portions. In one embodiment, antenna integrate in the roller assemblies and change their orientation based upon relative rotational positions of the housing portions to provide improved wireless communications.

[0015]The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that an information handling system disposes a flexible display across rotationally coupled housing portions that rotate between planar and closed configurations and have a flexible display disposed across both portions and their hinge structure. A display frame structure manages the fold of the flexible display to keep the display film within fold radius constraints. End users may conveniently fold housing portions relative to each other to arrange the display film in different orientations between a closed configuration and a planar configuration. The hinge structures manage fold radius and display frame structure position during rotational movements and minimize housing size to provide a convenient portable information handling system for end users.

Problems solved by technology

One difficulty with tablet information handling systems is that the display size tends to be limited to dimensions that an end user can carry.

Larger display dimensions tend to present information with more readable fonts and images, however, too large of a display drives a large housing size that reduces portability.

One difficulty with folding OLED films is that the curved portion at the fold cannot have too sharp of a bend or the OLED film may break.

Another difficulty is that a folding display tends to reside on an outer surface of a housing so that the length of the outer surface varies depending upon fold angle as different distances of movement relate to the screen and other components in separate planes of travel.

This delta in distance travel for a display film and other components creates a gap that, if not properly accommodated for, will show waviness, poor electrical and / or optical performance, and damage to the film material.

In addition, the gap related to housing support of a folding display tends to create an awkward physical appearance and structures that can catch on external objects.

Further, components disposed in the housing can have different and unexpected position and interactions.

For example, antenna that support wireless communications can have awkward positioning in small form factors.

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